Russell Investments Taps Strategist Chris Ciompi as CMO for Growth Push

SEATTLE, WA – March 30, 2026 – Russell Investments, the global investment solutions provider with a nearly 90-year history, has appointed veteran marketing strategist Chris Ciompi as its new Chief Marketing Officer. The move, effective today, signals a deliberate push by the firm to amplify its brand and accelerate growth in an increasingly competitive landscape. Ciompi will report directly to Chairman and CEO Zach Buchwald and will join the firm’s Executive Committee.

The appointment comes at a time of significant momentum for the Seattle-based firm, which manages $377 billion in assets. Backed by private equity owners TA Associates and Reverence Capital Partners, Russell Investments appears poised to leverage Ciompi's extensive experience in brand transformation and growth marketing to redefine its market presence and deepen client relationships across the globe.

A Mandate for Transformation and Thought Leadership

As Chief Marketing Officer, Ciompi is tasked with leading the firm’s global marketing function. His mandate extends beyond traditional advertising and communications; it encompasses strengthening Russell Investments' brand positioning, enhancing client engagement across its institutional, intermediary, and retail channels, and directly supporting the firm's ambitious growth strategy.

CEO Zach Buchwald articulated a vision that positions marketing as a central pillar of the firm's intellectual capital. “We have a long history of innovation as well as deep investment capabilities across the platform,” said Buchwald. “Our focus within marketing is to connect these capabilities to the needs of our clients, and to ensure that Russell Investments drives the conversations on portfolio construction and implementation across the industry. Chris brings the experience and judgment to lead this effort.”

This focus on "driving conversations" suggests a strategic pivot towards establishing the firm as a premier thought leader, moving beyond product promotion to shaping the very dialogue that influences investment decisions. Ciompi himself acknowledged the firm's positive trajectory.

“I’m excited to join Russell Investments at a time of strong momentum for the firm,” Ciompi stated. “The combination of its global platform, clear client focus, and recent growth creates a compelling foundation to further strengthen how we engage clients and communicate the value we deliver.”

A Strategist's Playbook for a New Era

Ciompi’s background is uniquely suited to this multifaceted challenge. He is not a conventional asset management marketer, but a strategist with a diverse playbook honed across consultancy, fintech, and high-growth environments. He joins from Lippincott, the prestigious global brand and innovation consultancy, where as a Senior Partner he advised leading financial services organizations on marketing strategy and transformation. At Lippincott, he was at the forefront of discussions on leveraging generative AI, navigating the post-cookie digital landscape, and creating "Go-to Brands" that resonate deeply with clients.

His recent experience as CMO of Clarity AI, a sustainability technology platform backed by major players like BlackRock and SoftBank, gives him direct insight into the rapidly growing importance of ESG and sustainable investing—a critical area for asset managers today. He was instrumental in expanding the company's reach from institutional investors to consumers through fintech partnerships.

Perhaps most tellingly, Ciompi previously served as Head of Marketing and Growth at Global X ETFs. He was a key figure in the firm's expansion, which culminated in its successful $450 million acquisition by Mirae Asset in 2018. This experience in scaling a financial brand for a high-value exit is particularly relevant given Russell Investments' ownership structure. His career foundation was built at McKinsey & Company, where he specialized in consulting for private equity firms and their portfolio companies, focusing explicitly on growth strategies.

The Private Equity Blueprint for Growth

The appointment cannot be viewed in isolation from Russell Investments' ownership. The firm is majority-owned by TA Associates, a growth-focused private equity firm, with a significant minority stake held by Reverence Capital Partners, a financial services specialist. This ownership structure inherently brings an agenda of accelerated value creation, often within a three-to-seven-year timeframe.

Private equity firms typically drive growth through a combination of strategic investment, operational optimization, and aggressive market positioning, all with an eye toward a profitable exit via an IPO or strategic sale. Investing in top-tier leadership, particularly in revenue-generating and brand-building functions like marketing, is a hallmark of this approach.

Ciompi's profile aligns perfectly with this blueprint. His experience at McKinsey advising PE-backed companies, coupled with his proven track record of driving growth that led to a successful exit at Global X, makes him a strategic asset. His hiring suggests that Russell's owners are moving beyond maintenance and are actively investing to transform the firm’s market perception, capture greater market share, and ultimately enhance its enterprise value. The mandate is not just to market Russell Investments, but to strategically reposition it for its next chapter of significant growth.

Redefining Engagement in a Competitive Arena

Ciompi steps into his role at a time when the entire asset management industry is being reshaped by powerful forces. Digital transformation has replaced traditional relationship models with expectations for seamless, personalized, and data-driven client experiences. The rise of AI is changing everything from campaign execution to client service, while the demand for authentic ESG integration continues to intensify.

In this environment, a CMO's role has evolved from a communications function to that of a strategic growth driver. Success requires a leader who can blend brand storytelling with data analytics, technology adoption, and a deep understanding of complex financial products. Ciompi's experience—from brand strategy at Lippincott to sustainability tech at Clarity AI—equips him to navigate these intersecting trends.

His primary challenge will be to execute Buchwald’s vision of making Russell Investments a dominant voice in portfolio construction. This involves creating a powerful content and thought leadership engine that not only showcases the firm's deep expertise but also anticipates the future needs of investors. By leveraging digital channels and data-driven insights, the goal will be to build a community around the brand, fostering loyalty and establishing Russell Investments not just as a provider of solutions, but as an indispensable partner in navigating financial markets. The success of this strategy will be a key determinant of the firm's trajectory under its ambitious ownership.